November 30, 2003

Be alert!
God is on the move!

Focus: Be alert! The days are surely coming.
Even now the Lord,
the righteous branch,
is springing up
to bring justice and
peace to the land.

November 30, 2003
Week 1 of Advent

Gathering in Christ's name

Scripture proclamation Jeremiah 33:14-16
Call to Worship

Leader: Be alert! Wait for God's promise!
People: A righteous branch is springing up
who will bring justice throughout the land.
Leader: Strengthen your hearts in holiness
while you wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus.
People: As a fig tree sprouts leaves when summer is near,
so the signs of God's coming reign appear.
ALL: Lord of Life, our redemption draws near;
come near to us and be our salvation.

Hymns Sing to the Lord of Harvest HWB 98
Come thou Long Expect HWB 178

Children's story Drama presented by Jr. Youth
Hymn Teach me o Lord HWB 487
Prayer of Confession

Guiding God,
we confess that many times we lose the path that leads to you.
In our impatience we take detours that lead us away
from your steadfast love and faithfulness.
Teach us your paths, O Lord.
Keep us in your truth, and guide us,
for you are the God of our salvation;
for you we wait all day long. AMEN

Proclaiming God's Word

Scripture Luke 21:25-36; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Sermon Dayvid Graybill
Hymn O come, o come Emmanuel HWB 172

Responding to God's call

Joys and concerns
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
Offering Jacob Myers
Announcements
Hymn You are the Salt of the Earth HWB 226
Benediction

Leader: May God guide you on paths of faithfulness.
ALL: May God cause us to increase and abound in love for one another and for all, even as our hearts grow strong in peace.

Today

Worship Leader - Jim Parks
Music - Dottie Scott
Nursery - Shinsky family

Announcements

First Baptist Church on Park Street will present A Time for Christmas - A dramatic Musical on December 13 & 14 at 3:30 pm and 7:00 pm. Free Tickets are available beginning December 1.

Come Hear Dr. Tony Campolo speak about "Comfortable Christians in an Uncomfortable World" Wednesday, Dec., 3, 7:00p.m. at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church. Tony Campolo will speak to Harrisonburg Mennonite churches on the topic of the role of comfortable suburban Christians in a time when radical Christian vision is needed for hurting people and communities in our world.

Prayers and Praises

VMBM: A former missionary in Jamaica recently donated a weight bench to Maranatha School for the Deaf. Jesse Bergey has enjoyed showing the older students some of the exercises that can be done with the weight set, and it has seen little rest. Jesse also teaches a physical education class every Friday morning, and enjoys participating in the games just as much as the deaf students do.

Mennonite Mission Network: Pray for the four teams of young people who are currently in discipleship training with RAD (Reaching and Discipling). They are preparing for service assignments in China, Mexico, Sweden and Macon, Georgia, beginning in 2004.

Pray for the local services for people in need: Love Inc., Shelter for Help in Emergency, Foodbank and the Salvation Army.